Contrast-enhanced MR Angiography for Evaluation of Vascular Complications of the Pancreatic Transplant

Vascular complications are a common cause of postoperative dysfunction in a pancreatic transplant. Coronal three-dimensional (3D) contrast material–enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography performed with high spatial and temporal resolution is a safe and effective method of assessing these vascular complications. A study was performed of selected patients who had undergone MR imaging and MR angiography during the past 6 years for evaluation of graft dysfunction following pancreatic transplantation. Thrombosis within peripheral stump vessels involving either the arterial or venous segments was a commonly observed vascular complication. Isolated distal arterial stump thrombi are incidental findings that may not require treatment, whereas venous stump thrombi may become clinically significant in patients in whom clot propagates proximally to occlude draining pancreatic veins and are typically treated with anticoagulants or thrombectomy. Because it is difficult to predict which patients will experience cl...